Handle lock for stapling devices



July 2, 1963 ROBBINS 3,095,574

HANDLE LOCK FOR STAPLING DEVICES Filed Dec. 27, 1961 3 22, F91

United States Patent Oflice 3,095,574 Patented July 2, 1963 3,095,574 HANDLE LOCK FOR STAPLING DEVICES Albert L. Robbins, New York, NY. (16364 22nd Ave., Whitestone, N.Y.) Filed Dec. 27, 1961, Ser, No. 162,520 1 Claim. (Cl. 1-49) ,This invention relates generally to the field of stapling devices of a type generally referred to as tackers, and more particularly to an improved handle locking means for such devices.

' In tacker type stapling devices, the staple is driven directly into the material in such manner that the ends of the staple are not bent, but rather secure an attachment in a manner analogous to that of a double pointed. brad.

In devices of this type, the staple is driven home by the action of a spring-pressed driving block to which there is attached a blade of width substantially equal to that of the staple. The block is moved in a direction to compress the spring by pressing upon a pivotally mounted lever which transmits motion through a pawl as the engaging edgethereof executes orbital motion. The edges engage within a depression which is cleared as the pawl moves, and at a point where the block is moved to substantially fully compress the spring.

vWhen the device is not in use, it is desirable to lock the pivotally mounted lever in the position it occupies immediately after the block has been released, in order that accidental discharge of staples may be prevented, and the device occupy less volume for storage. To accomplish this end, it is common to provide a pivotally mounted stamping which may be swung into the path of a portion of the lever which it engages, usually a notch or other depression, and to rotate the stamping in an opposite direction when it is desired to release the lever. This construction has necessitated provision of spring tension means on the shaft mounting the stamping in order to prevent the same from too readily disengaging, and has also necessitated the provision of a mounting stud on the frame of the device which must be secured by heading over or other machining operation. This type of device also suffers from a disadvantage in that its retaining effect is not applied to the central portion of the lever, but is offset from the principal axis thereof, and, being a single stud device, the retaining device must be of relatively heavy construction to withstand necessary repeated enengagements with the relatively heavily tensioned lever.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 689,410, filed October 10, 1957, now Patent No. 3,034,128 entitled Stapling Device, there is disclosed an improved locking means in the form of a wire lever-retaining loop which engages the free end of the lever. This construction, while useful, suffers from a disadvantage in that it is readily accidentally disengaged, and requires distortion of the loop in order permanently to install the same in pivotal relation with the frame element of the tacker.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved form of handle locking means in which the above-mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved handle locking means for use in conjunction with a staple tacker which may be formed to include a single screw-machined part in conjunction with a bent wire, which may be readily engaged and disengaged into pivotal relation with the frame of the staple tacker, and which may as readily be selectively engaged to lock the pivotally mounted lever in compressed condition.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved lever locking means for use in conjunction with a staple tacker in which the cost of fabrication may be of a very low order, and which may be readily employed in conjunction with many existing types of staple tackers known in the art. 7

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of lever locking construction which, although capable of intentional disengagement with respect to its pivotal mounting, is not readily disengaged accidentally.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that it may be engaged or disengaged using only a single hand of a user.

Another feature of the invention lies in the elimination of spring tensioning means to maintain the lever locking means in any particular position.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an em bodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view corresponding to that seen in [FIGURE 1, but showing certain of the component parts in altered relative position.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 33 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View as seen from the plane 4-4 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view in perspective of the handle locking means.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is shown in installed condition upon a conventional type of stapling tacker 11, the details of which are fully described in my abovementioned copending application Serial No. 689,410, and which will not be further described in this disclosure. The stapling tacker 11 includes a frame element 12, a grip member 13, a pivotally mounted handle element 14, the handle element :14 being secured within the frame element 12 by a transverse stud .16. An cared coil spring 17 contacts a surface 15 of the frame element, and the under surface 18 of the handle element 14 to impart rotationally upward motion thereto. A stop stud 19 limits the path of such motion. The device 10 comprises broadly a shaft element 21 and a latch element 22.

The shaft element 21 is preferably formed from Wire stock as a screw machined part, and includes first and second ends 25 and 26, respectively, and an outer cylindrical surface 27. Adjacent the ends 25 and 26 are first and second annular grooves 28 and 29, respectively. The total length of the shaft element 21 is such that the ends 25 and 26 project outwardly a distance sufficient to permit the grooves 28 and 29 to be exposed on either side of the frame element 12.

The latch element 22 is formed of narrower gauge spring wire, and includes first and second resilient hook members 32 and 33, respectively, first and second laterally extending members 34 and 35, a transverse member 36, the members 3-3-36 being interconnected through bend portions 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41. .The hook members 32 and 33 are of a diameter corresponding to that of the annular grooves 28 and 29, and it will be observed that the principal axis of the laterally extending members 34 and 35 passes below the axis of the hook members 32 and 33, so that force transmitted along the axis of the members 34 and 35 will not tend to disengage the resilient engagement of the hook members 32 and 33 within the grooves 28 and 29, respectively.

Installation of the device 10 is accomplished by inserting the shaft element 21 through coaxially aligned trans verse bores 44 and 45 in the frame element 12, in such manner that the grooves 28 and 29 are exposed on either side of the frame element. Next the hook members 32 and 33 are engaged by snapping the same into engagement within the grooves 28 and 29. Should it be desired to disassemble the frame element 12, for reasons of repair or other adjustment, it is necessary only to disengage the hook members 32 and 33 from the grooves 28 and 29, and slide the shaft element 21 from engagement with the bores 44 and 45. When not in use, the latch element 22 may be rotated in a direction away from the handle element 14. To lock the handle element 14 in compressed position, it is necessary only to rotate the latch member in an opposite direction wherein the same will fall past the inner edge 45 of the frame element to engage a rabbeted or notched portion 47 in the handle element. Since normally the engagement of the shaft element 21 within the bores 44 and 45 is a loose one, where only one hand is available for locking of the handle element, or unlocking the same, it is possible to achieve engagement or disengagement by merely rotating the frame element within the hand so that the action of gravity may guide the latch element in the desired direction.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

In a stapling device of the class described, including a frame element, a handle element mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said frame element, and resilient means normally urging said handle element in a given angular direction of rotation, improved locking means for selectively fixing said handle element against the action of said spring comprising: a shaft element and a latch element; said shaft element being of cylindrical configuration and transversely projecting through said frame element and having first and second ends extending outwardly thereof; said latch element being of elongated U shaped configuration and having first and second resilient hook means at opposite first and second ends thereof freely pivotally engaged upon said first and second ends of said shaft element, and a transverse member interconnecting said hook means and selectively projectable into the path of movement of said handle element to engage a portion thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,207,377 Hansen July 9, 1940 2,695,407 Goodstein Nov. 30, 1954 2,936,456 Ruskin May 17, 1960 2,982,966 La Pointe May 9, 1961 

